Safety

Recall -- Firm Press Release

FDA posts press releases and other notices of recalls and market withdrawals from the firms involved as a service to consumers, the media, and other interested parties. FDA does not endorse either the product or the company.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — Updated March 23, 2015 — Brenham, TX - Blue Bell Ice Cream of Brenham, Texas, is recalling 10 frozen snack items because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes, an organism which can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea, Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

Blue Bell continues to work closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment in order to resolve this issue.

The FDA reported that there were three deaths to date associated with the recalled products.

“We are devastated and know that Blue Bell has to be and can be better than this,” said Paul Kruse, Blue Bell CEO and president. “Quality and safety have always been our top priorities. We are deeply saddened and concerned for all those who have been affected.”

The recall began as a result of a routine sampling program by the South Carolina Department of Health which revealed the finished product contained the bacteria. These products were immediately removed from all markets in February as a precaution pending final test results. The results were later verified by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. Blue Bell ceased all production and distribution of these products.

This recall in no way includes Blue Bell half gallons, quarts, pints, cups, three gallon ice cream or the majority of take-home frozen snack novelties.

Consumers who have purchased these items are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund. For more information consumers with questions may call 979-836-7977, Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST or click here.